Excited to explore the city of Serajevo, we had the complimentary breakfast at our hostel and headed out.
We walked through Baščaršija square (created in 15th century) past this monument called the Sebilj.
The Sebilj is a fountain that was built in 1753. It was relocated only a few feet over to a more convenient spot in 1891.
Ross eventually navigated us to the yellow fortress.
It served as a military lookout point.
Built in 1739 in the shape of a Polygon.
The view of the city from on top of the fortress.
To the right of me, it looks just like a white patch from the picture, but it's actually a cluster of grave stones.
After we climbed down from the fortress, it started to rain.
We managed to see the town hall before it started to really pour down on us.
We ducked into a Jewish Synagogue to get some reprieve from the rain.
It was a bit out of our realm but at least we were dry.
I quickly snapped this photo of the Cathedral of Jesus' Sacred Heart, while trying to hide under different cafe umbrellas.
The largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Built from 1884-1889.
The cathedral was damaged during the Siege of Sarajevo, but not completely destroyed, and has since been repaired.
To continue the attempt to stay somewhat dry, we went for lunch.
A traditional place with traditional cuisine.
A dish called, ćevapčići.
Basically sausage in a type of pita bread.
Sour cream or cottage cheese optional for inside as well.
It was quite tasty.
After lunch we had planned on doing a tour of the tunnel that was built during the siege of Sarajevo.
We took a jeep with 2 other tourists, the guide and the driver.
The Yugoslavian / Bosnian war started in April 1992. Serbians had the entire city of Sarajevo surrounded. The only neutral territory was the airport and it was under the United Nations authority.
The tunnel was constructed underneath the airport runway in 1993. Soldiers and volunteers started digging from each end and about 7 months later the two ends met in the middle.
The tunnel was 800- 900 meters long, only 1 meter in width and about 1.5 meters in height.
Approximately 20 million tons of food was passed through the tunnel. Equipment, weapons and even a telephone cable for communication was passed through the tunnel.
NATO became involved in 1994 and negotiations started. Almost a year later, in December of 1995, the Serbians retreated and the war ended.
Over 11, 000 Bosnian's killed (1,500 children) and 56, 000 wounded (15,000 children).
It was a eye opening tour. It's a bit shocking how recent this war was and how the people within Sarajevo have lived through the terror of the war and have now moved on with their lives.
By 2003 most of the city was rebuilt... however some buildings remain in ruins or show the evidence of being shot at with walls full bullet holes.
One of the other tourists, his name is Benjamen, was full of crazy questions. He was asking the tour guide about the oddest, off topic things.. like how many young people voted this year, if the woman are treated equally to men.. etc. It was entertaining.
We ended up doing another tour after we got back, it was a city walking tour.
Our guide told us the story of the Latin bridge.
The Latin bridge was the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Shot by Gavrilo Princip in 1914, which was the immediate cause for the beginning of the First World War.
The guide took us around to a couple of important mosques and explained their crazy coffee traditions. We walked through the bazzar and past a few key churches.
When the tour was over, Ross and I tried to make a clean exit, trying to avoid Benjamen and his constant crazy questions. Somehow he managed to catch up with us and he wanted us to go with him to see the sunset.. we opted out, saying that we were going to go for dinner - which was the truth!
We had dinner. Rested in the hostel for a bit.. then went out into the nightlife of Sarajevo.. enjoying many of the pubs
Wednesday October 3 / 12
We felt like we had seen the city of Sarajevo. So we had some breakfast and took the 12:30 afternoon bus to Mostar, arriving 3 hours later.
Thanks for the update. That would be amazing to visit the Latin bridge. One bullet changed the whole world.
ReplyDeleteHey
ReplyDeleteLooks like the trip is still going well! Hope you are enjoying every minute of it! I can send you a pic of the mountains of snow in Saskatoon if you wish to appreciate the rain a bit more!